Handle construction for panel-board switches



March 25 1924.

H. E. LEPPERT HANDLE CONSTRUCTION FOR PANEL BOA-RD SWITCHES Filed July 31.

1922 2 Sheets-Sheet l anvemtoz March 25 1924.

H. E. LEPPERT HANDLE CONSTRUCTION FOR PANEL IOARD SWITCHES Filed July 51. 1922 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 avwe'nboz bIIriilliIll Patented Mar. 25, 1924.

UNITE ani 'srss PTENT orna- HENRY E. LEPPERT, OF NEW BRITAIN, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE TRUMBULL ELECTRIC MANUFACTURING COMPANY, OF PLAINVILLE, CONNECTICUT, A COR- PORATION OF CONNECTICUT.

HANDLE CONSTRUCTION FOR PANEL-BOARD SWITCHES.

Application filed July 31, 1922. Serial No. 578,588.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, HENRY E. Lnrrnn'r, a citizen of the United States of America, residing at New Britain, Connecticut, have invented a new and useful Handle Construction for Panel-Board Switches, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to snap switches and particularly to the method of securing a handle in place which adapts it especially to use in panel board constructions. Panel board switches are usually mounted on a board in connection with the usual bus bars, straps, fuses, etc., pertinent to constructions of this character. These switches are usually covered by sectional plates, each plate usually covering one or two switches, and all of the plates combined serving to constitute a covering for the otherwise exposed parts of the construction. In many instances the panel construction is made up of several switch units and a complete construction if desired may be enclosed in a box or casing as shown for instance in the 2 Platt Patent #1,321,144.

The switches are usually connected and wired up before the plates are secured in position and it is necessary to provide the plates with openings which register with the switch operating means. Usually the switch handles are not attached until the covering plates are in position. It has been customary to mould or otherwise primarily attach the switch handle directly to the operating lever or arm, or to attach the handles by screws and nuts after the plates are in position. All of these means necessitate the provision of openings in the cover plates sufliciently large to acconnnodate the handles. Such large openings are not only unsightly but permit the entrance of dust and insects.

The present invention provides a construction requiring only small and inconspicuous openings in the cover plates, and a means for readily securing a handle in position by a mere thrust and turn movement eliminating the use of screws, nuts, or other loose parts.

Figure 1 is a front view of a panel board switch embodying improvements of my in vention.

Fig. 2 is a side view of one of the switch units with any improved handle construction.

Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view of a fragment of an operating lever or arm and handle.

Fig. 4 is a rear, end view of a handle without the operating means.

Fig. 5 is a similar view showing a section of the operating lever.

Figs. 6 and 7 are end views and sections respectively of a modified form of construction.

Figs. 8 and 9 are end and sectional views of another form of construction.

Figs. 10 and 11 are end and side views of another form of construction.

Figs. 12 and 13 are end and side views respectively of another form of construction.

In the construction shown in Fig. 1, the switches 16 and 17 of any suitable construction are mounted in-a panel box and connected to bus bars in the usual manner. In this instance a single plate 18 covers both switches, and a similar plate 19 covers two other switches. Each cover plate is provided with a slot 20 for the operating lever or arm 21 of each switch which is located behind it. This slot is made just large enough to permit the flat arm to pass through it and to move back and forth as required.

The handle 22 is provided with an opening as shown for instance in Figs. 4 and-5 with extensions 23 forming a slot wide enough to receive the head 24 on the switch operatin arm or lever. This opening also has note es or recesses 25, 25 between the extensions 23, 23 adapted to receive the tapered shoulders 26 on the lever 21. Inside of the handle is mounted a spring 27 which may be inserted through the opening in the end or may be placed in the handle before the end 28 is flanged over. This spring 27 is interposed between the head 24 and the inner end of the handle 22. Preferably the lever is provided with an extension 29 which extends lengthwise in the handle. A spring forces the handle outwardly so as to draw the notches 25, 25 up into engagement with the inclined shoulders 26, 26 of the operating lever and thus securely hold the parts together. To release the handle it is simply necessary to push the handle longitudinally on the lever .21 until the inclined shoulders 26 are disengaged from the walls of the notches 25.. The handle is then turned on its axis to bring the head 24 in line with the slot extensions 23, whereupon the handle may be entirely withdrawn. Obviously, the assembly is in the reverse order.

The handle may be provided with an outer eovering.of insulating material such as 30 moulded or otherwise secured to the shell 31 as shown in Figs. 6 and 7.

Another form of handle 32 adapted to be formed of one piece drawn into shape 18 shown in Figs. 8 and 9.

Another form of drawn shell 33 is shown in Figs. 10 and 11 with a knurled or otherwise roughened portion 34 adapted for instance to anchor it in the moulded or composition body.

Figs. 12 and 13 show a handle body 35 formed of two pieces of metal.

It should be understood that other changes in details of construction may be made within the scope of my invention. Although the invention is shown as applied to a toggle or tumbler type of switch in which the operating handle is rocked from one position to another, it should be understood that I do not consider the invention as limited to this construction. While the handle is shown in connection with the panel board switch, it should be understood that it is applicable to other forms of switches. It is obvious that the handle may be machined out of bar stock or made of sheet metal.

I claim:

1. In a handle construction comprising an operating arm having a head with a laterally projecting inclined shoulder, a handle enclosing said head and having a slot to admit said head, and a notch to engage and lock said shoulder when the handle is turned.

2. In a handle construction, a flattened arm having a laterally projecting wedging shoulder, a handle having an elongated slot to receive the end of said arm and having a notch adapted to receive said shoulder, and

- a spring for holding said handle in place with said shoulder engaging in said notch.

3. In a handle construction, an operating arm having a head with a laterally projecting shoulder and an extension, a handle having a slot to receive said head and a notch to receive said shoulder, and a spring surrounding said extension within said handle.

4. In a construction of the character described the combination of a switch including an operating lever, a face plate havin a slot through which said lever projects an in which it is operable, said lever having a head with a locking shoulder and a detachable tubular handle for said lever havin a slot in its end to admit said head-an having a notch to interlock with said locking shoulder and a spring for yieldingly holding said handle on said lever.

5. In a switch handle, an arm having a flat head with wedging shoulders, a handle having a slot to receive said head and notches to receive said shoulders, and a spring for holding said handle in engagement with said head.

6. In a switch handle, a switch operating arm having a widened head portion and angular shoulders, a spring and a metal shell handle provided with two pairs of slots, one pair of slots adapted to admit the widened portion of said arm, the other pair of slots adapted to act as stops for the angular shoulders on said arm to prevent rotary movement of said handle on said arm and the said spring acting to normally hold the angular shoulders on said arm in engagement with said other pair of slots.

7. In combination with a switch operating arm having a widened head portion, a relatively narrow shank portion and angular shoulders, a handle shell having a central opening to freelyreceive the shank portion of said arm, a pa.;.of slots to receive the head portion of said arm and a second pair of slots to act as stops for the angular shoulders on said arm andspring means to normally secure the handle shell in operative position with the angular shoulders on the arm engaged in the said second pair of slots.

HENRY E. LEPPERT. 

